JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University women's soccer team fell 7-0 to Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in both team's 2018 season opener on August 31 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field. In the 26th season of NJCU women's soccer, the game marked the first-ever August home game.
 
The two teams played tight to start, with only a lone Devil goals coming in the 12th minute. NJCU freshman goalkeeper Cidney Lee-Sam (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) kept the Gothic Knights in it in the first half, making several nice saves, including a massive penalty kick stop after the Devils were awarded a penalty kick in the 15th minute. Lee-Sam made the save getting down quick to her left; she made eight saves in her NCAA debut.
 
It wasn't until the 43rd minute that the Devils extended their lead, but that late-first half goal would portend plenty of goals in the second.
 
FDU-Florham junior Erika Pita produced seven points and ended the game with a hat trick—adding an assist for good measure—as FDU pulled away in the second half. Pita started the game on the bench, but made her impact felt once she got on the pitch. Pita collected seven shots, putting six on frame.
 
Tatiana Nieto and Kate Macmillan each had a goal and assist for the game while sophomore midfielder Nathalia Gallo netted the game-winner in the 12th minute. Senior Carly Bresney also struck for FDU.
 
Leading 3-0, the Devils put the game away as Nieto and Pita scored twice in a span of 42 seconds in the 72nd and 73rd minutes. In all, the Devils scored their final four goals over a stretch of 8:24.
 
NJCU junior midfielder Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, NJ/Memorial) did well in her creative role all game, setting up a few opportunities for the Knights. FDU outshot NJCU, 22-5 and put 15 of its 22 chances on net.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: FDU leads, 8-1-1.
• NJCU and FDU-Florham were meeting in a season opener for the third year in a row. The teams drew 0-0 in 2016 and FDU won 3-1 in 2017.

 
UP NEXT:

• The women open up the second NJCU soccer doubleheader of the Labor Day Weekend when they face off with The City College of New York at noon on Sunday, September 2 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.

 
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